Chapter 8: Hua Xiong is beheaded

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  In the first year of Yuanping, in March, the Allied Forces of Guandong flooded the waters of Zhenwu Pass, and Hu Zhū led more than 10,000 defeated soldiers to retreat and defend Tiger Trap Pass. On one hand, he ordered the army to repair the city defenses, preparing to meet the Guandong rebels at Tiger Trap Pass; on the other hand, he sent an urgent report to Luoyang with a distance of 800 li.

  When the news reached Luoyang, Dong Zhuo was shocked and lost his composure.

  In recent days, Dong Zhuo mobilized all the troops in Luoyang and personally led an army of 130,000 to rush to Tiger Trap Pass.

  Tiger Trap Pass, temporary residence of the Marquis.

  All the generals of Xiliang gathered in one hall, and all the generals above the rank of school lieutenant attended the military council, with as many as 70 or 80 people present.

  Lu Zheng sat at the end of the seat, in a position by the door, quietly sizing up the Western Liang generals, especially a young military officer standing behind Dong Zhuo with his hand on the hilt of his sword, whom he couldn't help but look at twice.

  That martial general was about twenty-seven or eight years old, nine feet tall, wearing a bright silver cuirass and light armor, with a silver cloak draped over it. Although his physique was not sturdy and powerful, he gave people an extremely fierce feeling instead, and his long arms seemed to have the power to uproot mountains.

  This person was born with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, extremely heroic and extraordinary.

  Even without thinking, I already know who this person is. The one who never leaves Dong Zhuo's side can only be Lü Bu!

  Lü Bu had been kept by Dong Zhuo's side ever since he defected to him, as a display of favor.

  In other people's eyes, Lü Bu was considered a foster son by Dong Zhuo and often brought along with him, naturally being extremely trusted.

  But Luo Zheng felt that the actual situation was probably not like this. Looking at the history of China's feudal era for over a thousand years, those with ambitions like Dong Zhuo were all heroes with a strong desire for power, so how could they easily believe others?

  Not to mention Lü Bu has a record, anyone would have to be on guard against him.

  Luo Zhen felt that Dong Zhuo bringing Lü Bu by his side was likely to prevent Lü Bu from having the opportunity to rebel.

  Another one that caught his attention was the military advisor Li Ru, a very refined person, but in those clear eyes, there would occasionally flash cunning and ruthless glints, giving people a very sinister feeling.

  At this time, Dong Zhuo spoke up.

  Dong Zhuo severely reprimanded Hu Zhi, and just as Hu Zhi was secretly lamenting his fate, thinking that his life was not guaranteed, Dong Zhuo did not continue to pursue the matter, but instead carefully inquired about the flooding of the Yellow River at Guangwu Pass.

  The various generals under the hall saw that Dong Zhuo was no longer pursuing the matter and immediately had different expressions.

  Luo Zhen was sizing up Lü Bu when he saw a flash of sharp light in Lü's eyes.

  Hu Zong let out a sigh of relief and hastily recounted in detail how he had lost control of the situation at Zezhou.

  Dong Zhuo nodded and shouted down from the hall: "Where is Luo Zhen?"

  Luo Zheng was taken aback and hastily stood up, saying respectfully: "Your subordinate is here."

  Dong Zhuo looked him up and down, stroking his beard with a pleased expression: "Not bad, indeed a talented young man. I heard that you beheaded Bao Xin's younger brother Bao Zhong in battle, and also saw through the plot of the Guandong army. You are both brave and clever."

  Luo Zheng hastily said: "It's all thanks to the Prime Minister's cultivation, I wouldn't dare take credit for it."

  Dong Zhuo was overjoyed and thought to himself that this young man indeed knew how to speak, so he asked: "Where are you from?"

  Lu Zheng said with a dark face, knowing that one answer was not good, fearing for his life, and replied: "I am originally from the Jiang clan of Zhizhou. My grandfather moved to Hongnong with my father, but unfortunately suffered several bandit attacks, our home was destroyed and people died, so I joined the army to serve under the Prime Minister."

  "Is there a character for it?"

  Dong Zhuo asked.

  "His courtesy name is Shengping."

  Dong Zhuo nodded and asked a few more questions, all of which Luo Zhen answered respectfully.

  Next, they began to discuss how to fight against the Kwantung Army and formulate specific combat strategies.

  In the end, after all the discussions, apart from firmly defending the strategic location of Tiger Trap, nothing else was achieved.

  Luó Zhēng only listened and didn't speak, being very low-key.

  All the Western Liang generals present were more senior and of higher status than him, so if he wasn't careful with his words and actions, he might easily offend a lot of people. Before his wings had fully grown, he didn't want to be ostracized by others.

  One must choose the right moment to display one's talent.

  April.

  The lords of Kanto led a large army to ten miles outside the Tiger's Den Pass and set up camp, with camps stretching for dozens of miles.

  At dawn, Yuan Shao and other lords led their troops of tens of thousands to Guandu.

  Dong Zhuo led his generals up onto the city wall to survey the enemy situation.

  Suddenly a loud shout was heard, and from the allied army's formation, a general galloped out on horseback, loudly shouting, "Dong Zhuo, you old thief, why don't you surrender early?"

  "How dare you deceive me, you little scamp!"

  Dong Zhuo flew into a rage and shouted at his attendants, "Who will behead this rebel for me?"

  "I will fulfill your wish."

  As soon as the words fell, Xiliang's fierce general Hua Xiong rushed forward first and loudly asked for orders.

  "Hurry up."

  Dong Zhuo swung his arm fiercely, with a menacing aura.

  Hua Xiong led the order and left, directly mobilizing 500 cavalrymen, killing his way out of the pass.

  "Come and make yourself known!"

  Hua Xiong reined in his horse before the array and shouted loudly: "I will not behead a nameless ghost under my blade."

  "Kawa no naka ni wa kawazu!"

  He Nei Ming Jiang Fang Yue Da He Yi Sheng, Cui Ma Sha Lai Guo.

  "Drive!"

  Hua Xiong fiercely urged on his warhorse and brandished his sword to meet him. They fought less than ten rounds before Hua Xiong struck down Fang Yue with a single blow, sending him tumbling to the ground.

  The city head of Tiger Trap Pass suddenly burst into a thunderous shout like a tsunami, greatly boosting the morale of the Western Liang soldiers.

  Dong Zhuo's face also showed delight, and he said to those around him: "Hua Xiong is indeed one of the most powerful generals in my Western Liang army. This time, he has beheaded a major general of the rebel army from Guandong, boosting the morale of our soldiers. Let this be recorded as his first achievement."

  "All the generals hurriedly said in unison: 'The lord is wise and brilliant.'"

  As soon as the words fell, a loud shout like a thunderbolt suddenly erupted from the rebel army's formation under the city wall.

  "Hua Xiong is a matchless hero, come and take his life!"

  Everyone's eardrums were aching and they couldn't help but be shocked.

  Just as they were about to settle down, a general suddenly emerged from the army of Guandong like a whirlwind, and it was none other than Sun Jian, the fierce tiger of Jiangdong.

  "Sun Jian is just an ordinary man, I'm afraid you won't be able to achieve anything."

  Hua Xiong let out a loud roar, but actually felt somewhat apprehensive inside.

  Knowing he was no match for Sun Jian, yet unwilling to flee in fear, he steeled himself and went out to meet the challenge.

  In the midst of the shocking war drum sound, two riders quickly approached each other.

  "Accept death!"

  As two horses crossed paths, Sun Jian let out a loud roar and swung his ancient broadsword down with the force of thunder.

  When enemies meet, their eyes become red with rage.

  Sun Jian's general, Zu Mao, was beheaded by Hua Xiong. Even Huang Gai and Han Dang were captured by the Western Liang army because of Hua Xiong's surprise attack on Sun Jian's camp at night. How could Sun Jian not hate him? He hated him so much that he wanted to chop Hua Xiong into pieces.

  Right!

  Iron stone splits the air, two horses flash past each other in an instant.

  Hua Xiong's robust body suddenly shook violently, his face flushed with blood, as if he had drunk too much wine. It wasn't until the warhorse had galloped over twenty paces that he managed to steady himself. The tiger's mouth was already split open, and blood flowed out like a fountain. His right arm felt numb and lifeless, almost unable to grasp his battle-axe.

  The cheers on the city head of Tiger Trap Pass suddenly stopped, and in an instant, it was eerily quiet.

  On the contrary, in front of the Kwantung Army formation, a thunderous cheer burst out, greatly boosting morale.

  Cao Cao laughed in front of the formation: "Sun Wentai is indeed worthy of the name of Jiangdong's fierce tiger, and even the mighty general Hua Xiong of Western Liang is not his opponent."

  All the vassals nodded in succession, praising the bravery of Sun Jian, the fierce tiger of Jiangdong.

  Tiger Trap Pass, Dong Zhuo let out a deep sigh.

  Sun Jian's bravery, he had known for a long time and had always wanted to recruit Sun Jian.

  This time, seeing Sun Jian's unparalleled heroic appearance again, I am both fond of him and secretly resentful.

  The Western Liang generals all showed a solemn expression, some of them looked at Sun Jian with apprehension as he rode his horse and killed towards Hua Xiong again.

  Lü Bu looked at Sun Jian with a scornful expression and did not put him in his eyes.

  "Not good."

  Hua Xiong was shocked and did not dare to show off his strength. He barely turned his horse's head and wanted to escape back to Guanzhong.

  It turned out that Sun Jian had long since led his horse to kill Huaxiong, intercepting him and vowing to avenge the death of Yan Liang by beheading Huaxiong.

  "My life is at an end!"

  Hua Xiong secretly groaned in pain, on the one hand he exerted his remaining strength to defend himself, and on the other hand he looked for an opportunity to escape.

  Alas, Sun Jian's sword was swift as a running thunderbolt; he didn't dare to divide his attention, and the slightest carelessness would put him in mortal danger.

  "Send our eldest son to quickly go and respond to Hua Xiong."

  Dong Zhuo saw that things were going badly and hastily ordered Lü Bu to respond.

  "Yes, sir."

  Lü Bu responded with a loud "Yes!" and hastily descended from the city wall.

  But Lü Bu had just galloped out of the city gate, Sun Jian let out a loud roar, one knife swung open Hua Xiong's long sword, Guan Yu's knife came down with the momentum of opening a mountain, directly beheading Hua Xiong under his horse, and his hideous head flew high.

  The crows and sparrows on the city head of Tiger Trap Pass suddenly fell silent, and everyone held their breath.

  "It's suffocating me!"

  Dong Zhuo slammed his fist heavily on the city wall of Guandu, his face turning black with rage.

  The generals were as silent as cicadas in winter, and no one dared to make a sound.

  At this moment, Lü Bu was urging his horse to kill Sun Jian.

  "Lü Bu of Puyang is here, Sun Jian, you commoner, retreat at once."

  Lü Bu let out a loud roar, and with a swing of his halberd, Red Hare transformed into a fiery red shadow, charging straight at Sun Jian.

  Luo Zheng looked clearly from the city head, and also did not secretly drink a voice of praise, his heart was not without envy.

  To be honest, Lü Bu was indeed born with a good skin, wearing bright silver armor and light armor, wearing a lion-headed ghost mask helmet, paired with the Red Hare horse, it is really extraordinary to the extreme, no wonder the later generations passed down, among horses, there is the Red Hare, among people, there is Lü Bu.

  If it weren't for this guy's repeated betrayals and numerous attempts to sell out his lord for personal gain, he would probably be remembered in history as a peerless hero instead of being cursed.

  "Another one coming to die!"

  Sun Jian reined in his warhorse, a cold smile spreading from the corners of his mouth.

  He suddenly clutched his horse's belly and urged it to charge at Lü Bu once again.

  Right!

  In the midst of the clashing sound of gold and iron, two horses crossed each other.

  Lü Bu sat steadily on his horseback, galloping out for twenty paces before reining in and turning back to kill.

  Looking at Sun Jian again, he was like a tiger's body shaking violently, his warhorse ran out for more than 50 steps before barely stabilizing.

  "This guy is really strong."

  Sun Jian was shocked and could hardly believe his senses.

  People only know that Lü Bu has martial arts, but they don't have the most intuitive impression. The deepest impression of various lords is also just Lü Bu killing Ding Yuan and surrendering to Dong Zhuo, without shame for being a person, and not knowing how his martial arts are.

  Sun Jian was known for his bravery and originally did not take Lü Bu seriously.

  Not wanting to fight Lü Bu at first, only to discover that his bravery far surpasses one's own, greatly exceeding the expectations of all the other heroes.

  Before he could react, Lü Bu's Red Hare horse had already brought him back again.

  Sun Jian did not dare to divide his attention, so he had to muster up his spirit and fight bravely with Lü Bu.

  However, he was originally slightly inferior to Lü Bu, and having just exerted great effort in beheading Hua Xiong, he had consumed a considerable amount of energy. After fighting for over thirty rounds, he soon fell into a disadvantageous position, being killed by Lü Bu with only the strength to parry, without any power left to counterattack.

  The earth-shaking cheers burst out on the city head of Tiger Trap Pass, and it was clear that Lü Bu's bravery was unmatched. The Western Liang army could only watch with boiling blood.

  In contrast, in front of the Kwantung Army's formation, it was quiet enough to hear a pin drop.

  I've just witnessed Jiangdong's fierce tiger Sun Jian's unparalleled bravery in beheading Hua Xiong, but unexpectedly, there is someone in the Western Liang army who is not inferior to Sun Jian in martial arts, and it seems that he has a slight upper hand, instantly leaving all the lords of Guandong speechless.

  It took quite a while before someone came back to their senses, and then there was a collective gasp of cold air.

  Cao Cao was shocked and said: "I didn't expect Lü Bu's bravery to be so great, even Sun Wentai is no match for him."

  The rest of the lords and nobles also had a look of shock and amazement, staring intently at the incomparable Lü Bu not far away.

  "A single man can be crazy, but when two men come together, they will be normal!"

  A loud shout suddenly rang out, and it turned out that Cheng Pu saw that Sun Jian was in a bad situation, so he hastily spurred on his horse and charged out.

  Lü Bu was fearless and swung his Heaven-Defying Halberd even more swiftly, fighting a lone battle against Sun Jian and Cheng Pu, still holding the upper hand.

  After fighting for over fifty rounds, Sun Jian and Cheng Pu were exhausted and dared not fight again, so they used a false move to retreat.

  Lü Bu's horse was fast and he chased after Sun Jian alone, wanting to behead him.

  Fortunately, three generals flew out of the allied army to support, and only then were Sun Jian and Cheng Pu received into their own camp.

  Lü Bu flew into a rage, mounted Red Hare and brandished his halberd, shouting insults at the various lords of Guandong in front of their lines. The lords of Guandong were so enraged that their faces turned black with anger, and they were on the verge of charging forward.